How to Wash Bras Using a Lingerie Bag

Bras are typically made of delicate materials, and sometimes even affixed with beads, lace or other accessories. This makes it important to wash them properly. Don’t toss your bras in with the rest of your laundry without first taking some precautions. Using a lingerie bag to wash bras in the washer will help protect them from other garments that may snag or damage them during the laundering process.

Things You'll Need

Alcohol-free laundry detergent

Lingerie bag

Fasten the clasps on all your bras. Sort out the bras into two piles, whites and light colors, and dark.

Put like-colored bras into a lingerie bag. Set the washing machine to the delicate cycle and use cold water.

Add alcohol-free laundry detergent to the washer. Place the lingerie bag of like-colored bras inside the washing machine. Run the bras through a completely wash cycle.

Remove the lingerie bag from the washer. Take the bras out of the bag and lay them over a drying rack with the cups facing up or hang them up to dry by the strap. Reshape the cups, if necessary, once the bras are dry.

Tips & Warnings

You can wash bras with other clothing as long as they’re of like color and require cold water and a gentle wash cycle. Don’t overstuff your washing machine when washing bras in the lingerie bag. This can damage the bras, especially if they have an underwire.

Avoid using bleach when washing bras. Over time, it will deteriorate the fabric, making it necessary to replace the bras sooner. Don’t put bras in the dryer. The heat can break down the fabric and cause the bras to lose elasticity.